The Answer Man, A Serious Man

Published in the Idaho State Journal and Blackfoot Morning News, week of April 18, 2010

Recently, I’ve seen an interesting pairing of movies. First, I saw “A Serious Man,” the Coen brother’s Hebrew school revenge film. Next, I saw “The Answer Man,” about physical and spiritual adjustments.

The Answer Man wrote a book of divine revelations that resonated with people so strongly it became a runaway bestseller. Over time, the fame turned him into an abrasive, unpleasant hermit with debilitating back pain. A Serious Man sought guidance in the foreboding maze of old school religious congregations. Helpless as an abandoned puppet, waiting in the queue to be handed his dose of grace.

Both these films are about people with questions seeking guidance from people who are supposed to have the answers. “My rabbi/priest/pastor/guru/priestess/minister has the answers.” “This writer/celebrity/leader/book/movie/health fad/religious movement/rock song has the answers.” And this is true; there are as many fountains of wisdom and knowledge as there are people seeking a drink, it seems.

But what of our own wisdom? What of our own knowledge—ideas and beliefs that are hard-wired into our individual souls and minds, buried, waiting for us to discover them again?

I enjoy being a lifelong learner and student of the self—exploring theory and philosophy to better manage feelings, issues, and relationships. The self-help, religion, spirituality, psychology, philosophy, and even business sections of bookstores have much to offer us—fantastic insight to help us learn, grow, and evolve.

But I have found myself, from time to time, suffocating from Too Much Information. Too many books telling me what to think and do, too much data about everyone else’s beliefs that I am supposed to remember, understand, and practice.

Sometimes, we have to put the books down. Stop reading and learning, and start processing and listening. We have a voice, we have an answer key, right inside of us.

I love what some religions say about the divine that resides in our individual bodies. Mystical Judaism talks about the Divine Spark; how there is a spark of God in everything, including us, wanting to reconnect with all the other sparks, all across the universe. Yoga sessions typically end with the word “Namaste”—a greeting that basically means, “the divine in me greets/honors/acknowledges the divine in you.” That essence of divinity within us can be a spiritual GPS to the Greater Whatever, and if we tend to it, explore it, and trust it, it will lead us right to where we need to be, if we aren’t already there.

Problem is, that little scrap of transcendence is like our scary, adventure-loving friend who always wants to take us out skydiving or bungee jumping—luring us so far out of our comfort zones that we become frozen in place with fear. “Quit your job!” “Dump that jerk!” “Stand up for yourself!” “Change your life!” No wonder we seek guidance from others; our own answers and instincts scare us to death, and not without cause.

Seeking outside guidance and information is something I’ll enjoy doing my whole life. There is so much to learn, and the more I learn, the less I know. But I also trust, most of the time, that within me is powerful wisdom as well. Our instincts, our fleeting memories, our individual observations, our moments of synchronicity and epiphany create a vast library of knowledge that we alone can access and interpret. It is information given to us from…somewhere--and sometimes, that is all the scholarship and wisdom we need. Onward!


Nancy Goodman is a licensed counselor with an emphasis on life and career coaching. For questions or to schedule a free consultation (in-person or over the telephone), please contact Nancy at 208-478-1414 or goodnanc@yahoo.com. http://vocatusidaho.blogspot.com.